After a thrilling double-overtime win over California last week, Virginia Tech is looking to play spoiler in the month of November beginning with their matchup against a No. 16 Louisville team that has ambitions to reach the ACC Championship and CFB Playoff. The Hokies are significant home underdogs for a reason and will not only need to be at their best but also need Louisville to not be on their A-game to have a reasonable chance in this game. If anything, the greater buzz coming out of this weekend will likely be about the rumors surrounding James Franklin and Virginia Tech.
But in college football, you can never say never about any game and possible outcome.
So with that said, let’s get you ready for this game between Virginia Tech and No. 16 Louisville
Keys to the Game: You can check out Chris Payne’s keys to the game here. One of Chris’ keys for the Hokies’ defense include their need to find ways to contain Louisville’s star RB Isaac Brown, especially for a Hokies’ defense that is already thin in the secondary and needs to find some sort of edge against a talented Cardinals offense. Brown is arguably the best running back in the ACC but the Hokies have shut down some other talented RBs who are paired with pocket-passing QBs including NC State’s Hollywood Smothers. If VT can contain Brown, it’ll give them at least a chance at pulling off the upset.
Hokies to Watch: You can check out Josh Poslusny’s Hokies to Watch feature here. Tech’s defensive line will have to do their job to minimize the holes and space for Isaac Brown. More importantly though, they need to find ways to put pressure on Miller Moss especially given the weapons that Moss has and the depleted secondary that the Hokies have.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: VT’s offensive strength will be their rushing attack given the issues that the offensive line has especially with pass blocking, the unnatural offensive fit between Philip Montgomery and Kyron Drones, and the true dual-threat that Drones is. However, the Hokies will need to find some balance against a Louisville run defense that allows only 3.2 yards per carry and Ayden Greene will play a key role in doing that. Greene has been solid in his first full season as a starter averaging over 15 yards per reception and leading the Hokies with 23 receptions for 365 yards. Greene is the best playmaker that VT has on the outside and if he can produce a couple big plays, it could open the door for an upset.
Matchups to Watch: Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy are one of the best lead wide receivers duos in at least the ACC if not the entire nation. Bell and Lacy form one of only three WR duos in the Power 4 (Tennessee, Indiana) who each have at least 38 receptions this season. Isaiah Brown-Murray and Thomas Williams will have a tough task on their hands trying to contain these two, especially Bell who has 48 receptions for 687 yards and six touchdowns this season. If Brown-Murray and Williams find a way to contain these two, then not only will they boost VT’s slim chances but they will certainly gain some tape that they can forward on to NFL scouts whenever they end up entering the NFL Draft in the future (likely 2027 or 2028 in the case of Williams).
Availability Watch: Virginia Tech continues to get healthier most places except for their secondary with CB Jojo Crim now out alongside fellow cornerbacks Caleb Brown and Joshua Clarke. Meanwhile, one of Tech’s most highly-touted 2025 high school signees is set to likely make his collegiate debut as a backup this Saturday. Check out the full availability report and insights on how the Hokies will replace those that are out here.
Predictions
Tim Thomas
Last week's win was a great morale booster for Virginia Tech, but this one could get a little ugly for the Hokies.
Louisville is arguably the best and most talented team that the Hokies have faced all season with lots of strengths and few weaknesses. They boast an offense full of big-time playmakers including RB Isaac Brown and WR Chris Bell along with a defense that has done well in both areas especially with their run defense that is only allowing 3.2 yards per carry.
This Tech team is built to play from a spot where they either have the lead or don't have to be too worried about the clock. This matchup doesn't set up well for them though and it wouldn't be surprising if this is a game where the Hokies have to do a lot of chasing through the afternoon.
Overall, I think this will be a long afternoon for the Hokies as the Cardinals show why they are a legitimate contender to reach both the ACC Championship and CFB Playoff.
Pick: No. 16 Louisville 31, Virginia Tech 13
Chris Payne
Tech begins the final one-third of its season on Saturday with hopes that it can play spoiler to playoff-hopeful Louisville. Make no mistake, at this moment Louisville looks every bit like a playoff team to me. Their defense carries them just a bit, but this offense is capable of scoring. Whether it can score enough to propel the Cardinals deep into the playoffs is a different story.
I know for a fact Louisville is more than capable of scoring enough to defeat the Hokies handily. For Tech to win, literally everything would have to go their way and all of the small details that coaches love to talk about so much would have to be buttoned-up. No turnovers, no penalties, no empty possessions, defense comes up with several big stops and sacks. I think if Tech plays how it did against Cal minus the second quarter, they can be in this game late.
However, I have the Cardinals winning and covering the spread (LOU -10.5 ESPN BET). I think their defense will be too much for the Hokies to handle offensively, and though I think the Tech defense will be competitive early, they will likely spend most of the game on the field and get worn down from there. Louisville is a really good team and I think they get the jump on the Hokies.
